Environmental Policy

Environmentally Sensitive Gardening:

We all understand of the impact that gardening and the garden industry has on the environment and we aim to help our business and our customers to reduce our part in it. We also support our local communities in their efforts by helping local schools in creating more green space and free talks and advice about all aspects of gardening.

We do this by offering organic alternatives to chemicals, encouraging our customers to only use chemical conditioners, pest and weed control when necessary to reduce the input of chemicals into the ecosystem.

Our knowledgeable plants department can also offer advice on how to solve many gardening problems in eco friendly ways, as well as which plants would best suit the soil and weather conditions of your garden to avoid plant wastage and the need for soil enhancements. We also stock a selection of products to promote recycling any garden waste that does occur into the natural goodness of homemade compost.

We promote the collection and storage of water, with water buts and dripper systems, to help combat dry British summers with minimal effect on national reserves. We feel it is also important to encourage the creation of wildlife friendly spaces within gardens to recreate some of the natural habitats being lost to development. We have a large range of products to help introduce and maintain wildlife in our gardens.

Peat Policy:

At Carnon Downs we aim to provide the best possible resources for our customers, helping their gardens to flourish and gardeners to enjoy them. We offer a wide range of composts to suit all your gardening needs.

We understand that peat based composts offer affordable, tried and tested growing mediums and that many gardeners still want them, however we are aware of the environmental impact of their use. This is why we feel it is essential to also offer excellent reduced peat and peat free alternatives, a range that is constantly expanding.

We support and encourage the efforts of our suppliers to reduce the peat content in their products, in developing alternatives and regenerating used peat fields and mire to create a sustainable future for the industry.

For more information on these efforts please feel free to visit our suppliers’ websites:

www.william-sinclair.co.uk

www.erinhorticulture.com

www.scotts.com

FSC Policy:

The Forest Stewardship Council is a non-governmental, international organization set up to address environmental concerns about deforestation and wood production and to responsibly manage the world forests.

We try to source FSC certified materials wherever possible for all of our wood products. Many of our suppliers are already use FSC certified sources, such as most of our range of Gardman garden products and nearly all of their nest boxes and bird tables and many of our range of tools. Our Alexander Rose garden furniture and Jagram and Forest fencing products are all completely FSC compliant.

Any items in our sundries shop which are FSC compliant will bear the FSC logo.

Recycling Policy:

At Carnon Downs we feel strongly about our environmental responsibilities, we recycle all plastic, cardboard, wood and metal from our deliveries and stock. Any wooden pallets are returned to suppliers or recycled on site.

Although we do provide plastic bags for our customers’ convenience we also offer bags for life, cardboard boxes and plastic trays as practical, eco friendly alternatives and encourage our customers to reuse or recycle each option.

Our Restaurant recycles all plastic, cardboard and tins, as well as using a local company to recycle all waste glass.

Our plant department recycles all plant waste into compost, currently being used to grow hedging around the site to create wildlife and environmentally friendly boundaries. Some of the wood is also reused to create habitats for our reptiles and birds.

Wildlife Friendly Plants:

We offer an extensive range of wildlife friendly plants to suit all conditions and needs, from attracting animals and insects into your garden to natural repellents to help keep cats and pests out. Please ask any of our plant team for advice on which plants to use to create nature and environmentally friendly gardens.

We also stock a large range of organic chemical free feeds, repellents and pest control for your garden in our sundries shop. We offer a wide range of insect, bat and bird boxes to help create wildlife friendly habitats in your garden.

Local Suppliers:

Wherever possible we source our plants, animals and ingredients from local suppliers and encourage our staff and customers to do the same.

Water Usage:

It is important to be environmentally aware and conserve water, especially in the dry summer months; however we still like to see our gardens lush and healthy. We can achieve this by collecting rain and surface water throughout the year by using water buts in the garden or connected to drain pipes to water our plants and lawns. All the equipment you will need is available in our sundries section in a wide range of sizes and designs, suitable for all needs and tastes. We also supply dripper and automated watering systems which reduce the quantity of water used whilst still meeting your gardens needs which are also available in our sundries shop.

Several exemplary water buts are set up around the plant sections of the centre as part of our own efforts. We also use some water from a natural well on site to help control our mains water use in the summer months.